VH-DRI Cessna 337A Super
Skymaster
(c/n 3370514)
This Super Skymaster was originally
owned by Drillwell Aviation of Perth as seen in the above
Merv Prime photo. First registered in December
1966, Merv's shot was at Jandakot in April
1967. It later became part of the Forestry Commission
of NSW's fleet of aircraft and remain-
ed
with them for over 30 years. Greg Banfield's photo below
was taken at Bankstown on
8
December
1973. When sold it went to the Walgett Aero Club.
On 9 October 1994
the Club held a barbecue and
flying competition. During the event VH-DRI, which had just
returned from a five day charter to the Gulf of Carpentaria, performed
a high speed low level
fly past across the field,
and then entered a steep (some spectators say as much as 70 degrees)
climb, wherein after 7 or so
seconds in this attitude the speed decayed to such an extent that
the aircraft appeared to stall,
dropping the port wing and crashing onto the airport grounds
. The pilot and three passengers were all killed.